ShinDig

by Roseann Connolly

A woman in her 60s maybe 70s came in today and asked the price of a wig. I said £3 and asked if she was going to a fancy dress? She said no her son liked to dress up. It was obvious she was talking about a mature adult. I wonder if her open answer was encouraged by the programs celebrating the 50 anniversary of much of the laws oppressing the gay and trans community?
I showed her an nicer wig with lovely blonde ringlets – and she bought that one too.
I felt she was liberated and that liberation made me feel freer too.

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Sharing: Positively Autistic: A List of (Positive) Autistic Traits — Aspie Under Your Radar

by Roseann Connolly

Here’s a list of positive autistic traits I came across the other day from another autistic blog: Sometimes it’s hard to feel positive about being autistic when so much of the presentation of autism focuses on our deficits. In a world that tells us all the ways we are “wrong”, I think it’s important to […]

via Sharing: Positively Autistic: A List of (Positive) Autistic Traits — Aspie Under Your Radar

Aspergers Syndrome/friendships/Being true to myself

by Roseann Connolly

I think this is an honest thought provoking and moving Blog and deserves to be widely read. Thanks to David Nicholson for this glimpse into his life.

David's blog

I have spent the past few months reflecting on my life both past and present. I always feel it is good to take stock, reflect and take some decisions before moving forward.

As a young man with Aspergers Syndrome friendships and being myself have been two issues that have haunted me for a long time. I’ve had too many negative experiences and it is time for change. Time for a new, more positive me.

One of the big problems I’ve faced is making friends. When I was younger I was bullied and teased by morons who quite frankly took strong exception to how I acted differently.

As a result of the past I don’t have many friends in Fife and therefore I am socially isolated. Most of my friends are in Edinburgh,Glasgow or London. There have been days when I felt like screaming because I have felt so lonely. In…

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‘Calling on’ and Calderstones

by Roseann Connolly

Not all that ‘well up’ but thought this piece both passionate and informed. Personal experience of local authorities confirms my opinion that professionals are bound by unworkable systems. I hope that recent and soon to be introduced legislation will help unblock the system and bring real choices and options to learning disabled and other people who need health and social care services.

mydaftlife

Todays #justiceforLB advent dedicated to older parents got me thinking. Why don’t the main charities involved in the work around closing ATUs sign up to a ‘ditch the bullshit’ model?  The Winterbourne Concordat in its various guises achieved nothing. Stephen Bubb and his brekkie chums achieved nothing. This week yet another CQC inspection found brutal and inhumane practices at Calderstones NHS Foundation Trust. [Sharp tweeters picked up instantly that Calderstones actually bid for the Ridgeway but were pipped at the post by Sloven, both miles from Oxford…] 

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That this latest CQC report barely reached the British media is no surprise. But it did generate a Guardian piece from the holders of learning disability wellbeing in the UK; Mencap and the Challenging Behaviour Foundation. Now I have no doubt that both organisations provide invaluable services/support for families/learning disabled people but I increasingly think the bland and repetitive statements that they trot…

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